Wednesday, October 20, 2010

No doubt you've heard it before, perhaps out of your own mouth. You know, you say something to your kids, such as "Because I said so..." or, "If you don't stop that I will turn this car around." As soon as the words fly out of your mouth you think, "My gosh, I have turned into my mother."

I see it everyday I look at myself on TV, I look just like my Mom. Which isn't a bad thing.

Eventually, we all turn into our parents...and well, our parents turn into their parents. Case in point...me, Mom and Kipper were having lunch one Saturday.

There was also a group of Army soldiers dining at the same establishment. Mom tells Kipper to say "Hooah," to them, it's an Army chant.

So, four or five of the soldiers walk by our table and Kipper yells, "Boo!"

Mom and I laugh, but the soldiers didn't hear him, or maybe it was because they're not used to having a three year old yell, "Boo."

So, Mom gets up from the table - and minutes later a female Sgt. with the Army walks up to our table and asks Kipper, "Do you have an uncle in the Army?"

Monday, October 11, 2010

Not sure where to start on this one. I had a great weekend. Kipper only called me "fat" once and Noah was a pretty good listener.

Noah had a soccer game Saturday. He played like a champ. I'm telling you, he has got natural talent! He dribbled the ball right through four players...players who are in the 2nd and 3rd grade...Noah is in kindergarten.

Not sure how Brent makes it through a game, pacing the sideline, spitting sunflower seeds, and screaming for Noah. Secretly, Brent and I are hoping Noah is our ticket to the good life.

Sunday, Brent's Mom treated me and the boys to "Sesame Street Live." Noah and Kipper were very excited to see Elmo. We also found Kipper's Halloween costume, Oscar the Grouch.Appropriate, don'tcha think?

Noah was a little worried we were going to sit in the nose bleed section...he's got a fear of heights. Even though Kipper enjoyed the show, after every song he asked, "Is it over?"

The theme of the show was "Imagination"…and I couldn’t imagine being any other place on a Sunday afternoon than with my family.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Tuesday morning I was sent to cover a massive fire on DauphinIsland. When I got there it struck me as ironic that four, million dollar homes burned to the ground...nothing left but smoldering soot and ash...and there the bay was feet away. Miles and miles of water - yet this fire burned out of control consuming homes, cars and boats.

What a life changing event for the homeowners...and the fire fighters. More than one was injured including the fire chief. Daily, I am reminded of how quickly life can change. I see it all around me, from the stories I cover, to my children growing up.

Noah, is in kindergarten and has started to use phrases like "cool dude." The other night, Brent and Noah were playing a football game and Brent scored a touchdown. Noah replies, "Cool dude." It made me chuckle, he is growing up so fast- changing over night.

Kipper has grown up so much this summer it feels like. He's gotten taller, skinnier and fiesty.

Having children has changed me. I see the world through their eyes...every time I cover a story - I see them, I think of them.

While some things change, thankfully others stay the same.

My Dad is a two time stroke survivor. While it changed him, and we lost a lot of the "old Dewey"...lots of things stayed the same. Such as, his use of four letter words (sorry Mom) and his love of candy.

Growing up my Dad would bring home candy almost every night. Bags of candy bars for my brothers and I. Sometimes he would bring home ice cream...the huge tubs of chocolate ice cream. I blame him for my huge sweet tooth.

Well, decades later the trend continues. My Dad keeps a bowl of candy at the house...actually my Mom keeps it and Dad eats it by the handful. You can stop by and there are wrappers and wrappers - I would guess 10 or so of snickers, twix, reeses peanut cups...you name it beside his chair.

Noah and Kipper love to go to GiGi and Paw Paw's and get candy. Their favorite, M&M's.

Well, Kipper ran to get some and to his displeasure...ALL of the M&M's were gone.